The latest little day trip we took was last weekend to Siena, Italy. We left early morning Saturday and spent the entire day there relaxing and exploring. Among the amazing sites, Siena is the home of St. Catherine. Here is a little blurb on her...
Saint Catherine of Siena (was a Dominican Tertiary (lay affiliate) of the Dominican Order. Catherine was the 23rd child out of 25 (her twin sister, the 24th, died at birth); At the age of seven she consecrated her virginity to Christ despite her family's opposition; in her eighteenth year she took the habit of the Dominican Tertiaries. She is especially famous for fasting by living for long periods of time on nothing but the Blessed Sacrament. In 1370 she received a series of visions of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, after which she heard a command to leave her withdrawn life and enter the public life of the world. She began to write letters to men and women in authority, especially begging for peace between the republics and principalities of Italy and for the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome. She carried on a long correspondence with Pope Gregory XI, also asking him to reform the clergy and the administration of the Papal States.
In June of 1376 Catherine went to Avignon herself as ambassador of Florence to make peace with the Papal States, but was unsuccessful. She impressed the Pope so much, however, that he returned his administration to Rome in January of 1377. During the Western Schism of 1378 she was an adherent of Pope Urban VI, who summoned her to Rome where she lived until her death in 1380. Catherine's body is currently interred in Rome, in the basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva near the Pantheon. Her head and right thumb are in Siena, and her foot in Venice.
In June of 1376 Catherine went to Avignon herself as ambassador of Florence to make peace with the Papal States, but was unsuccessful. She impressed the Pope so much, however, that he returned his administration to Rome in January of 1377. During the Western Schism of 1378 she was an adherent of Pope Urban VI, who summoned her to Rome where she lived until her death in 1380. Catherine's body is currently interred in Rome, in the basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva near the Pantheon. Her head and right thumb are in Siena, and her foot in Venice.
It was pretty crazy to see her head and thumb out and I am not quite sure what I think about that, but it was still an amazing experience. In addition, we were able to see her room where she lived and it was very small and simple.
Also in Siena, is the place where a Eucharistic Miracle took place! Here is a blurb...
On August 14, 1730, during devotions for the vigil of the feast, thieves entered the deserted Church of St. Francis and picked the lock to the tabernacle and carried away the golden ciborium containing consecrated Hosts. Two days later, on August 17, while praying in the Church of St. Mary of Provenzano, a priest's attention was directed to something white protruding from the offering box attached to his prie dieu. Realizing that it was a Host, he informed the other priests of the church, who in turn notified the Archbishop and the friars of the Church of St. Francis. By this miracle the Hosts have remained whole and shiny, and have maintained the characteristic scent of unleavened bread. Since they are in such a perfect state of conservation, maintaining the appearances of bread, the Catholic Church assures us that although they were consecrated in the year 1730, these Eucharistic Hosts are still really and truly the Body of Christ. The miraculous Hosts have been cherished and venerated in the Basilica of St. Francis in Sienna for over 250 years.
This was quite an amazing miracle we were able to see :) (Just so you know these two pics were ones I pulled up from the web because we were not allowed t take pics but I wanted you to see what I saw!) The remainder of the day was just spent exploring the city and relaxing! We left by about 7:30p and bused back about 4 hours! It was a long but very good day! :)
That was pretty much all I have for last week! I will try and be a little better about my updating :) It is just difficult when we really don't have a lot going on :)
I hope you are all doing well and I continue to keep you in my prayers! I would love to here from you to see how things are going back home!
Ciao!
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